X-Message-Number: 15973 From: "Michael LaTorra" <> Subject: Re: final words (Message #15964) Date: Thu, 29 Mar 2001 20:08:21 -0700 I believe that I speak for more than only myself when I say "Thank you, Sabine, for taking the time and enduring the trouble involved in organizing several people's responses to the thread ' Singularity... Bah Humbug!." The messages from you, Brian Atkins and Eliezer Yudkowsky have expanded the conversation on CryoNet in useful directions. Cryonics is the immediate topic of concern on this list. But I don't think anyone here is interested in it because they want to become frozen corpses after death and stay that way forever. Cryonics is simply one method of possible life extension and practical immortality, and it is the only method currently within our grasp. We are not married to the notion of becoming corpsicles. We are only using the best method we can at this point in time. So I was somewhat surprised at how many CryoNet members reacted so negatively to the possibility of uploading via the instrumentality of a Friendly AI as a valid means for achieving immortality. If it works, I would certainly be willing to use it. But in the meantime, I consider cryonics to be quite literally my "insurance" for an indefinitely extended future life. Please do not feel that your efforts were wasted, Sabine. I think you may have opened a few minds to new possibilities, even if those minds chose to remain silent during this latest "cryo-flamewar." Regards, Michael LaTorra Member: Extropy Institute: www.extropy.org Alcor Life Extension Foundation: www.alcor.org Society for Technical Communication: www.stc.org Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=15973